Samajwadi Party Chief Questions Ethanol Fuel Policy Amid Government Advisory Shift

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday attacked the Modi government over its handling of ethanol-blended petrol policy, questioning whether the administration or its advisers were steering fuel standards in the country. Yadav's criticism comes after the chief economic adviser publicly suggested reconsidering the E10 petrol program, creating apparent inconsistency in government messaging on the fuel initiative.

The fuel blending controversy centres on the Centre's push to introduce E20 petrol, which contains 20 percent ethanol, as part of efforts to reduce petroleum imports and promote alternative fuels. The government has positioned the initiative as an environmentally conscious policy while supporting domestic agriculture through increased ethanol demand.

Yadav's remarks suggest growing political discord over the fuel policy's implementation and communication. The chief economic adviser's recent comments on potentially reverting to E10 specifications have muddled the government's stated direction, according to opposition leaders who argue such mixed signals reflect poor policy coordination.

The controversy underscores broader tensions between India's push for fuel alternatives and concerns about their practical implementation across the country's vast vehicle fleet. Government officials have not yet issued clarifications addressing the apparent policy contradiction highlighted by opposition parties.